Romance

Romance is a elaborated version of kissing automata. The figures tentatively look at each other before kissing.Finished to a high standard with an ash wood case, parts made from lime, beech, box and birch ply.Fittings are brass with nylon and Teflon bushings for smooth running.The bodies, made from lime wood, are finished with 2 coats of gesso followed by acrylic paint, 2 coats of gloss lacquer.The heads are painted with 3 coats of gloss lacquer followed by a coat of matt varnish giving a very smooth finish.

The heads and bodies are stylised. Other colours are possible. These heads are natural wood finished with acrylic lacquers and flat finish.

Other colour themes. This one with painted heads - see below.

Gears and a geneva wheel drive the 2 cams. The cams and cam levers are made from laminations of beech for added strength.

The cam levers are counter weighted against the cams. Small brass wheels run between the cam lever and the cam.

The small turned boxwood handle spins on the crank handle.To prevent shrinkage of the wood in hot dry atmospheres interfering with the smooth running of the mechanism the 3 axles are held by birch plywood precisely fitted into the frame.

Showing placement of the figures on the frame.See video of action below.

Heads finished with 2 coats of gesso followed by white acrylic and then lightly airbrushed with flesh tones. Acrylic lacquer followed by acrylic flat varnish.